PUPIL MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING POLICY

(Pupil-friendly summary)

Many people worked together to create what we agree is most important for the pupils at Newton Primary School.

We want to support the emotional health and wellbeing our all our pupils. Our school has a caring ethos and our approach is respectful and kind, where each individual and contribution is valued.

WHAT WE WANT FOR OUR PUPILS

For pupils to know that we're there for them.

There are different times in everyone's life where we may need a little more help than usual; the whole school family has a role to play in providing that support. The pupil wellbeing website will be kept up to date with the latest guidance and advice for all pupils to access whenever they need it. We will treat information shared with us with respect and only share it if we feel that children are at risk.

  For pupils to understand their emotions and feelings.

We will help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries and make it a normal and expected part of any day.

For pupils to build strong relationships.

We will teach children how to make friendships and fix mistakes when they happen. Older pupils take the lead on the yard to help sort out any problems and develop a sense of trust and 'togetherness.'

For pupils to believe in themselves.

We will build pupils' self esteem and ensure know that they count. We will encourage children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’ and help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks. 

WE PROMOTE A MENTALLY HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

We promote our school values and encourage a sense of belonging.

Our motto is 'Let's work together to be the best that we can be' and we do this by promoting pupil voice and opportunities to participate in decision-making.

 We celebrate academic and non-academic achievements.

Achievements are shared with parents using Class Dojo and our Friday Special Assembly. Children are able to share what they've achieved outside school with the whole school and this is encouraged.

Our pupils have time to reflect.

We provide regular opportunities for pupils to reflect on both their emotions and their work in class. We provide a range of ways to share pupils' thoughts: chatting with a friend or adult; sending feedback using YouHue or an emotion wall; pupil wellbeing website 'get in touch' section.

We encourage pupils to have a voice and speak up.

We want to help all pupils become happy, healthy individuals. Part of this is ensuring that all pupils talk to someone when they are having difficulties with their work or relationships. They know that nobody can be unkind to them and being a 'snitch' is the first step towards fixing things - this is seen as a positive step in the right direction.

Most of all, we want our pupils to talk to us. We want honest, supportive relationships where the pupils know that we will deal with any situation sensitively. We want to teach and train pupils to lead the way on the yard and in the school. We are creating the future generation of leaders and we are proud of every pupil at Newton Primary School.

As well as providing support for our pupils, we have collated a selection of online support agencies which you may find useful. If you need help with anything, please contact any staff member and we will be happy to help. 

The following website https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people/parent-wellbeing has many practical ideas and a range of advice; you're sure to find something interesting and helpful.